“Could you let me have a loan of £250 to be repaid in the course of 1 year. I would not ask if it wasn’t so urgent and lose your friendship, but all I need is time.

“Please, Dickie, please help me. If you cannot see your way to do so, don’t think too badly of me.”

The pair’s relationship went downhill when Lawton seemingly failed to pay Lord Attenborough £10 for two FA Cup tickets he provided in 1971.

The letters show Lawton – who Lord Attenborough called “the greatest centre forward” he had ever seen play for England – had later asked for help getting a job with singer Adam Faith, who had started a furnishing firm.

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Image caption
Lord Attenborough, who died in 2014, served on the board of Chelsea Football Club from 1969 to 1982